A brief note on theoretical framework and conceptual framework in MBA dissertation project works

A brief note on theoretical framework and conceptual framework in MBA dissertation project works (information from perplexity.ai)

My question 1: "It appears that a conceptual framework comprises a set of related variables while a theoretical framework is made up of a set of related concepts and theories. My question is, what purposes do they serve in an MBA dissertation project work?"

The reply: "In an MBA dissertation project, the conceptual framework and theoretical framework serve distinct yet complementary purposes crucial for guiding and structuring the research.

The theoretical framework provides the foundation of established theories on which the research is built. It offers a broad lens connecting the research topic to relevant existing theories and guides overall understanding, data collection, and analysis. It helps justify the research by linking it to prior theoretical knowledge and situates the study within a wider academic context.

The conceptual framework, on the other hand, is a more practical and specific representation—either visual or written—that maps out the key concepts, variables, and anticipated relationships based on the literature review and the research focus. It acts as a roadmap to guide the study design, research questions, and methodology by illustrating the expected cause-effect relationships among variables. It also helps clarify how the research hypothesis will be tested or examined within the project.

Together, these frameworks serve to:

• Anchor the study in existing theory (theoretical framework),

• Visualize and operationalize research variables and their interconnections (conceptual framework),

• Guide methodology and data interpretation,

• Demonstrate the rationale and significance of the research,

• Connect research questions with methods and analysis,

• Frame the researcher's position and assumptions within the study context.

Hence, in an MBA dissertation, the theoretical framework lays the academic groundwork while the conceptual framework directs the empirical investigation and study design, ensuring coherence and rigor throughout the project."

My question 2: "Please provide an illustrative example on what a theoretical framework would look like and another illustrative example on what a conceptual framework would look like with reference to a research theme of "the empirically available variables and the underlying causal mechanisms that influence the employee engagement level of the Hong Kong Gen Zs working in a middle manager position in the Hong Kong 5-star hotel sector in 2025"."

The reply: "Here is an illustrative example of both a theoretical framework and a conceptual framework based on the research theme: "the empirically available variables and the underlying causal mechanisms that influence the employee engagement level of the Hong Kong Gen Zs working in a middle manager position in the Hong Kong 5-star hotel sector in 2025."

Theoretical Framework Example:

The theoretical framework could be grounded in established employee engagement theories such as Kahn’s Engagement Theory and the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model. Kahn’s theory emphasizes that employee engagement is influenced by psychological conditions of meaningfulness, safety, and availability at work. The JD-R model explains engagement through balancing job demands (e.g., workload) and job resources (e.g., supervisor support, career growth opportunities). The framework would articulate that for Gen Z middle managers in 5-star hotels in Hong Kong, engagement levels are a function of these psychological conditions and the balance of demands and resources in their roles. This framework would direct the study to examine how meaningfulness of work, psychological safety, and availability relate to engagement, moderated by job demands and resources specific to this demographic and sector.

Conceptual Framework Example:

The conceptual framework would visually map out key variables identified from theory and literature with their presumed causal links to employee engagement. For example:

• Independent variables (predictors): Perceived meaningfulness of work, psychological safety, availability (mental/physical), workload (job demand), supervisor support (job resource), career growth opportunity (job resource).

• Mediating variables: Job satisfaction, motivation.

• Dependent variable (outcome): Employee engagement level of Hong Kong Gen Z middle managers.

• Control variables: Demographics (age within Gen Z range, gender), tenure, hotel size.

Arrows would indicate hypothesized positive or negative causal relationships, e.g., meaningfulness, safety, support positively influence engagement; high workload negatively impacts engagement unless mitigated by resources. The framework helps in operationalizing these variables for empirical testing and guides questionnaire or interview design.

Together, these frameworks anchor the research on solid theoretical principles, while providing a clear operational structure to investigate the influence of identified variables on employee engagement in the specified context."

My question 3: "Where would a theoretical framework be located in MBA dissertation report: chapter 2 (literature review) or chapter 3 (Research methodology)? How about a conceptual framework?"

The reply: "In an MBA dissertation report, the placement of the theoretical and conceptual frameworks is typically as follows:

Theoretical Framework: This is often located in Chapter 2, the Literature Review chapter. It is sometimes integrated within the literature review or presented as a distinct section or chapter depending on the complexity of theories involved. The theoretical framework builds on the existing literature to define key concepts, explain and evaluate relevant theories, and show how the research connects to or extends these theories. It serves as the academic foundation and rationale for the study and guides development of research questions and hypotheses.

Conceptual Framework: This is usually found in Chapter 3, the Research Methodology chapter. It offers a clear operational structure of the study by visually or narratively mapping out the key variables, constructs, and their anticipated causal relationships based on theory and literature. It guides the design of the research methods, data collection, and analysis approach.

In summary:

• Theoretical framework mainly resides in Chapter 2 (Literature Review), grounding the study in existing theory.

• Conceptual framework primarily appears in Chapter 3 (Research Methodology), operationalizing variables and guiding the empirical investigation.

This placement supports a logical flow from theory review and justification to practical research design.​"

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.